Back in the Dungeon, Miia slithered through the Seventh Floor, her scales gleaming under the Arabian Castle's golden light. She pouted. "I didn't get to help Darling at all"
Above her, Papi zipped through the air. Her wings soared ahead. Suu and Illuna darted after her.
"Slow down, Papi," Illuna called out. She had a smile on her face.
"Papi is flying fast," Papi chirped gleefully, spiraling across the room.
Suu extended a gooey limb in an attempt to tag her, but Papi flipped out of reach.
Cera was polishing her blade Custodire. She looked with admiration. "Master…" she whispered, as her cheeks warmed at the memory of him giving it to her.
"It suits me," Racherna said with a proud smirk. "Shame I haven't gotten to slice anything yet," she added with a twisted smile on her face.
Miia perked up. "Maybe if I had a weapon, I could help Darling too," she said.
"Ooooh! Can Papi get one?" Papi asked, swooping down.
Suu bounced in agreement.
"These aren't toys," Racherna warned. "They're real weapons," she added.
"There's a reason James didn't hand you one yet," Cera said, gently. Cera thought she had been training in sword practice since she was a child.
"But I can do it," Miia insisted. She raised her tail in determination.
Mero wheeled over gracefully. "You should ask James first," she advised.
Miia tapped her chin thoughtfully, then broke into a sly grin. "Or… I could surprise him," she added.
"Not everyone's meant to be a warrior," Rachnera said as she crossed her arms.
Miia turned to her, eyes narrowing. "You don't think I can fight? Or help Darling?" she questioned.
"It's not that," Rachnera replied coolly. "It's just not who you are," she added.
Yuriko stepped into the room. She looked around. "What's all this chatter?" she asked.
"I want a weapon. I want to help Darling," Miia said as her tail twitched with excitement.
"So do I," Papi chimed in, flapping overhead. Suu put her hands in her air.
Yuriko glanced at the eager expressions of the two younger girls and smiled warmly. She saw it clearly, their affection, their devotion. "Do you really think James would send any of us into danger if it meant we'd get hurt.or worse?" she asked.
Miia's expression softened. "No. But I still want to help him," she replied.
"You can help him," Yuriko said, her tone gentle but firm. "But that doesn't always mean fighting. Take Shizuka, she can't swing a sword, but she's invaluable. Her medical knowledge keeps everyone alive when things go wrong," she explained.
"She is right, not everyone needs to be a fighter to prove themselves," Mero said. "Everyone brings something different to the table and that is important," she explained.
"I have been trying to tell her that," Rachnera remarked.
"Papi can fly," Papi offered brightly.
Yuriko chuckled. "Exactly. That makes you perfect for scouting," she said.
Miia looked down as her tail curled slightly. "Then… what's my talent? How can I help Darling?" she asked.
Yuriko placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's something only you can discover. And who knows—maybe you've already got it."
"I know, I can cook for Darling," Miia said.
"Well you are improving there," Yuriko chucked.
"It is important to be well fed before a battle," Yuriko said.
"Yes, that gives you strength and energy," Cera added.
Miia thought that maybe the start however she will find something else to help her Darling. She smiled.
Yuriko approached with quiet curiosity. "Mero, did you get a chance to explore the Fourth Floor, the beach with the deep waters?" she asked.
Mero gave a gentle nod. "I did. I ventured down to the shoreline," she said, "At first, the water was warm and shallow. But only a few dozens meters in, it dropped off so suddenly I nearly lost my balance. One moment I could see the sand beneath me, the next it vanished into an abyss," she added.
Her gaze shifted slightly, as if replaying the memory. "The sea stretched on endlessly, miles upon miles of open water. The deeper I looked, the darker it became. I couldn't see the bottom, no matter how far I peered. It was as though the ocean had no end. The pressure there was immense. Even just floating near the drop-off, I could feel it pressing against me," she explained. She paused, the corners of her mouth lifting faintly. "It was beautiful... and terrifying," he added.
"That sounds scary," Papi remarked.
"You could get close down there," Illuna said.
"But it is perfectly safe within the first few meters as you can touch the bottom and then it gradually drops off," Mero explained.
"It also has a nice beach," Miia said.
"Papi wants to play on the beach," Papi remarked. Suu nodded.
"What about the Third Floor with the forest with large trees?" Illuna asked. "I think that will be fun as well," she added.
"That will be my home for when the eggs will be hatching," Papi said innocently.
"Eggs?" Miia and Cera shouted.
"You are pregnant?" Mero questioned. She looked surprised. She thought Sir had not gotten to her yet.
"No, not yet," Papi said.
The girls all sighed in relief. Yuriko thought her daughter had a lot of competition. She wondered how many grandchildren she would have. He seems to be quite energetic.
"Has anyone seen Shizuka?" Yuriko asked.
"She is up on the floor getting a tan," Mero responded.
She thought it was typical. "Andw where is Lefi?" Miia asked as she scanned the room.
"She said she will be in the Throne Room," Papi responded.
"What is she doing there?" Racherna asked.
"She said she was checking if there has been any changes since the attack," Illuna asked. "The Dungeon sometimes can change after being attacked like that," she added.
"Interesting," Yuriko asked. She thought what changes there could be. "We should gather everyone for dinner soon," she added. "James and everyone will be back in a few hours," she said.
"Yes Husband will be back," Papi said.